Djokovic wants more: go for Steffi Graf’s 377 weeks

He has it all, but he wants more. After recovering the number one in the world and tying with Rafa Nadal in number of Grand Slams, Novak Djokovic has made new appointments with history. Yesterday, the Serb began his 374th week as leader of the ATP ranking. Nobody has as many as him and, furthermore, the horizon to continue expanding the record is promising. Only two players have a real chance of taking the throne from him in the coming weeks: Carlos Alcaraz, second in the standings, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, third. “You never know how much time you have left. I celebrate these moments, becoming number one again and being a Grand Slam champion, even more than before in my career. I don’t take it for granted”, said Nole about the return to the top after winning his 10th Australian Open. The most special, as he himself assured. The one who returns a crown that he does not want to let go.

Alcaraz is the player who could snatch it away the soonest. Recovering from his right leg injury, the Spanish prodigy plans to play in the ATP 250 of Buenos Aires (February 13 to 19)in the ATP 500 of Rio de Janeiro (from February 20 to 26)of which he is current champion, and in Acapulco ATP 500 (February 27 to March 4). If he shines on all three stages, he could overtake a Djokovic who, before Indian Wells, only has the ATP 500 in Dubai planned (from February 27 to March 4). Charly, who has said goodbye to 20 weeks at the top, defends 500 credits in Brazil, but can add it all in Argentina and Mexico. With 6,730 points, the man from El Palmar is 340 points behind Nole (7,070), who only defends 90 in the Emirates. A near threat.

In case of resisting, the prize for Djokovic is huge. The Serbian, in Australia, has also equaled Steffi Graff in number of Slams, at the same height as Nadal. Now, it is guaranteed to match (on February 20) the 377 weeks that the German accumulated as number one, the absolute record. To quell the threats from Alcaraz and Tsitsipas (the Greek, with no chance of overtaking before Indian Wells), Nole would surpass her, thus becoming the player, male or female, with the longest time as number one in history. “I think there is still a lot of fire inside of me, burning because of the passion I feel for this sport and for competition. And I think that this is what allows me to continue pushing myself to the limit”, said Djokovic in the formal photo session. reserved each year for the winners in Australia. It is insatiable and feeds on records. He already has another one in sight.